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The Two-Week Rule for NHS Gastrointestinal Cancer Referrals: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Effectiveness

Kym Carter Orcid Logo, Hayley Hutchings Orcid Logo, Glyn Elwyn

The Open Colorectal Cancer Journal, Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Pages: 27 - 33

Swansea University Authors: Kym Carter Orcid Logo, Hayley Hutchings Orcid Logo, Glyn Elwyn

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Abstract

Aim: To systematically review the impact of the Two-Week Rule in increasing the pick-up rate of colorectal cancers and Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in the NHS.Materials and Methods: Data were combined for meta-analyses to determine (1) the Two-Week Rule pick-up rate for each cancer type and (...

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Published in: The Open Colorectal Cancer Journal
ISSN: 1876-8202
Published: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. 2009
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58421
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Abstract: Aim: To systematically review the impact of the Two-Week Rule in increasing the pick-up rate of colorectal cancers and Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in the NHS.Materials and Methods: Data were combined for meta-analyses to determine (1) the Two-Week Rule pick-up rate for each cancer type and (2) the proportion of patients referred using the Two-Week Rule. Overall results were given as weighted averages.Results: There were 20 articles and 27 peer-reviewed abstracts included in this review. Colorectal Cancer: Only 9.5% of patients referred by the Two-Week Rule were eventually diagnosed with colorectal cancer (n = 24). When examining the referral origin of all colorectal cancer patients diagnosed during the time of 19 studies with this data, 32.2% had been referred using the Two-Week Rule. Upper GI Cancer: Only 5.5% of patients referred by the Two-Week Rule were eventually diagnosed with Upper GI cancer (n = 23). When examining the referral origin of all Upper GI cancer patients diagnosed during the time of 17 studies with this data, 23.6% had been referred using the Two-Week Rule.Conclusion: The Two-Week Rule is not sufficiently effective in diagnosing neither upper GI nor colorectal cancers in patients presenting to their General Practitioner.
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Issue: 1
Start Page: 27
End Page: 33